Carbon nanotubes in plant dynamics: Unravelling multifaceted roles and phytotoxic implications

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as a promising frontier in plant science owing to their unique physicochemical properties and versatile applications. CNTs enhance stress tolerance by improving water dynamics and nutrient uptake and activating defence mechanisms against abiotic and biotic stresses. They can be taken up by roots and translocated within the plant, impacting water retention, nutrient assimilation, and photosynthesis. CNTs have shown promise in modulating plant-microbe interactions, influencing symbiotic relationships and mitigating the detrimental effects of phytopathogens. CNTs have demonstrated the ability to modulate gene expression in plants, offering a powerful tool for targeted genetic modifications. The integration of CNTs as sensing elements in plants has opened new avenues for real-time monitoring of environmental conditions and early detection of stress-induced changes. In the realm of agrochemicals, CNTs have been explored for their potential as carriers for targeted delivery of nutrients, pesticides, and other bioactive compounds. CNTs have the potential to demonstrate phytotoxic effects, detrimentally influencing both the growth and developmental processes of plants. Phytotoxicity is characterized by induction of oxidative stress, impairment of cellular integrity, disruption of photosynthetic processes, perturbation of nutrient homeostasis, and alterations in gene expression. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the multifaceted roles of CNTs in plant physiology, emphasizing their potential applications and addressing the existing challenges in translating this knowledge into sustainable agricultural practices.

Environmental resilience through artificial intelligence: innovations in monitoring and management

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has revolutionized numerous fields, with its applications spanning finance, engineering, healthcare, and more. In recent years, AI's potential in addressing environmental concerns has garnered significant attention. This review paper provides a comprehensive exploration of the impact that AI has on addressing and mitigating critical environmental concerns. In the backdrop of AI's remarkable advancement across diverse disciplines, this study is dedicated to uncovering its transformative potential in the realm of environmental monitoring. The paper initiates by tracing the evolutionary trajectory of AI technologies and delving into the underlying design principles that have catalysed its rapid progression. Subsequently, it delves deeply into the nuanced realm of AI applications in the analysis of remote sensing imagery. This includes an intricate breakdown of challenges and solutions in per-pixel analysis, object detection, shape interpretation, texture evaluation, and semantic understanding. The crux of the review revolves around AI's pivotal role in environmental control, examining its specific implementations in wastewater treatment and solid waste management. Moreover, the study accentuates the significance of AI-driven early-warning systems, empowering proactive responses to environmental threats. Through a meticulous analysis, the review underscores AI's unparalleled capacity to enhance accuracy, adaptability, and real-time decision-making, effectively positioning it as a cornerstone in shaping a sustainable and resilient future for environmental monitoring and preservation.

Adaptive Stigma Coping Among Papuans Living with HIV: a Qualitative Study in One of the Indigenous People, Indonesia

INTRODUCTION

The indigenous Papuans of Indonesia's Tanah Papua Island have been a distinct cultural and racial entity from the rest of the country's inhabitants. Furthermore, antiretroviral therapy's inability to reduce mortality and incidence rates in this region has sparked public interest in HIV issues, which has resulted in increased stigma. Papuans were more interested in memorizing the symptoms than using antiretroviral as an effective therapy. This study aimed to analyze the coping level of HIV-infected Papuans to overcome related stigma.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted with data collected through semi-structured interviews in 2018, and 13 Papuans who had experiences with antiretroviral therapy (ART) participated in audio-recorded interviews. The discussions were focused on the ways to deal with stigma after the HIV diagnosis. Furthermore, data were transcribed verbatim using the framework analysis for qualitative study.

RESULTS

According to the study results, Papuans were shown to have effectively used self-distancing, self-blame, and self-stigmatization coping mechanisms, according to the results. The people temporarily utilize ART until their health returns to normal.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that ART has been used to cope with stigma. However, the use was temporary since the misunderstanding regarding use of ART remains high. ART education should be addressed since Papuans are willing to adopt the method provided the benefits are fully comprehended. In addition, the participation of healthcare workers such as pharmacies should be increased since they can explain antiretroviral terms.

Knowledge, empathy, and willingness to counsel patients with HIV among Indonesian pharmacists: a national survey of stigma

This study aimed to assess the level of HIV treatment knowledge, empathy, and HIV stigma of pharmacy students and pharmacists working with patients as well as potential factors associated with stigma. This survey included 250 hospital pharmacists within 33 provinces and 1013 final-year pharmacy students from Java, the most populated island in Indonesia. The data were collected via Qualtrics® and distributed by WhatsApp. The mean age of the participants was (Mean ± SD) 24.68 ± 5.30 years, and 80.0% were female. The mean knowledge score of students and pharmacists were 14.14 ± 2.01 and 15.39 ± 1.87, respectively, out of the maximum score of 21. The mean empathy score of students and pharmacists was 72.06 ± 5.39 and 77.40 ± 1.35, respectively out of the maximum score of 105. The mean stigma score of students and pharmacists was 21.02 ± 4.65 and 20.66 ± 4.41, respectively, out of a maximum score of 48. Regression analysis showed that knowledge, empathy, and willingness to counsel patients were negatively associated with stigma. Working with patients was positively associated with stigma. A multi-level intervention including education may reduce stigma and strengthen the role of pharmacists in caring for patients.

Farmer field schools for improving economic sustainability performance of Indonesian vegetable production

Purpose

A research and development project disseminated ecological technologies to approximately 3,250 vegetable farmers through farmer field schools (FFS) in four districts of Bali and East Java provinces of Indonesia. This article aims to assess the economic sustainability of vegetable production after FFS participation.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey randomly sampled 500 farmers, comprised of FFS participants (50%) and non-FFS participants (50%). Based on 1,000 farm operations, this analysis employed input-saving technology as the fundamental model examined using the double-difference method. Simultaneous reduction of agrochemicals and improvement of productivity represent indicators of economic sustainability.

Findings

Results indicate that pesticide use decreased without jeopardising farm productivity; moreover, vegetable production increased. These findings indicate that the ecological technologies transferred through FFS significantly improved economic sustainability performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study purposively selected farmers who grew tomato and chilli. Thus, the outcomes are not generalisable to other crops.

Practical implications

FFS continues to be an effective method for transferring agricultural technologies to farmer communities. Policymakers are recommended to use FFS for disseminating beneficial and sustainable technologies to broader agricultural communities.

Social implications

The adoption of ecological technologies provides positive economic and ecological milieus.

Originality/value

This study employs a double-differences approach to verify input-saving technological progress. Therefore, the performance of economic sustainability attributable to the project intervention is theoretically justified.